Reflector-snuffer for barbecue



1962 D. H. WITCHER REFLECTOR-SNUFFER F OR BARBECUE Filed Aug. 5, 1960 INVENTOR. DONALD H W/TCHER H/S ATTORNEYS nite ts This invention relates to heat reflectors and fire dampers and snuflers.

This invention is particularly directed to an accessory for use in combination with a well-known brazier such as is shown in US. Letters Patent No. 2,747,567. Braziers of this type are formed of a dish-like fire pan having a central elevator bar normally used for raising and/or lowering a grate or grille upon which food is supported during cooking over charcoal embers in the brazier.

It is one object of this invention to provide a single unit dimensioned to overlay the fire pan of a brazier for either reflecting heat radially therefrom or for putting out the burning embers therein by cutting off oxygen supply thereto.

Another object is to provide a reflector facilitating reflection of infra red rays eminating from the burning embers in a brazier for distribution around the latter.

Another object is to provide a means for extinguishing the burning embers in a brazier so as to save the fuel. In this connection it should be kept in mind that although genuine charcoal is often used, a considerable savings is realized by extinguishing the burning thereof before it is completely consumed by fire. While this may be accomplished by spraying the coals with water this manner of extinguishing a charcoal fire is often objectionable because of the steam created, the possibility of rust to the equipment and the fire pan. Moreover, with manufactured charcoal, such as briquetts made from sawdust and/or wood chips and a binder, water would disintegrate the binder leaving only a mushy muddy mass which could not again be used as fuel.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description in the light of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional bowl type portable barbecue showing the device or" the present invention in use therewith.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 and showing the present invention used therewith.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the heat reflector and snuffer of the present invention taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

The barbecue apparatus with which the present invention is to be used will be explained at the outset.

The barbecue apparatus 1% includes among other things a fire box 11 supported on legs 12 of tripod fashion, two of such legs having an axle shaft 13 provided with wheels 14 to facilitate portability of the apparatus.

In the present disclosure the fire box 11 is of circular shape brazier providing a dish or bowl having a shallow concaved bottom 16 surrounded by a low upstanding wall 17 at its periphery. The fire box bowl 3.1 is provided with a guide sleeve 18 at its very center having an elevator rod 19 arranged for sliding up and down guided movement therein. The lower end of the rod 19 rests upon one end of a lever 20 pivotally mounted on a bracket 21 on the underside of the fire box and actuatable by a screw shank 22 on a crank handle for raising and/ or lowering the elevator rod relative to the sleeve and fire box.

The elevator rod 19 is adapted to receive and support atent a grate (not shown) upon which food is supported over burning embers in the fire pot 11, the grate being adjustable up and down as desired for barbecuing the food. All of the foregoing is of Well known construction and operation and forms no part of the present invention other than environmentally to the device of the present invention as will now be explained.

Referring to FIG. 3 the device of the present invention consists of an accessory 30 in the form of a metal spinning configurated to provide a central hub-like portion 31 from which the body 32 of the spinning extends radially to terminate in an annular peripheral bead 33 of rolled back metal. In this connection the body 32 of the spinning is configurated as an inversed or sinuous curve consisting of a cone-like concaved curve 34 struck between the hub 31 and the medial portion 35 of the body 32. From thence the curve of the main body 32 reverses and merges with the peripheral bead 33 so that the accessory 30 provides an annular upswept reflecting surface 36 on its external side thereof and a dish-like cover surface 37 on its opposite or internal side.

The hub-like portion 31 has an annular inset recess 38 formed thereon in spaced relation to its open end 39, to provide an annular internal shoulder 40 within the hub portion 31. The otherwise hollow center of the hub portion 31 is closed by a plug 41 which is press fit into theopen end 3) of the hub and against the annular internal shoulder 4d as best seen in FIG. 3. The balance 42 of the hub portion 31 is tapered down to Wedging- 1y secure the plug 41 against the shoulder 40 and the open end of the hub 31 is finished off by the provision of an inwardly extending flange 43 which is normal to the axis of the hub portion 31.

The plug 41 is provided within the hub portion with a central recess orseat 44 exposed to the open end of said hub portion to receive the upper end of the elevator rod 19 of the barbecue apparatus 19 when the open end 39 of the hub is placed over the elevator rod 19. For stabilizing the accessory 3% relative to the rod is I provideremovable spring pronged snap type centering cap 45 having an aperture 46 which has sliding fit upon the rod 19.

In connection with the foregoing it will be appreciated that due to variations of designs different manufacturers of barbecue braziers provide elevator posts of different diameters. Consequently, for universal application I have provided the plug 41 With a tapering recess 01' seat 44 having a mouth 47 adapted to receive elevator rods 19 of the largest diameter, the tapered edge 48 of the seat 44 facilitating receipt and centering'of the smallest as well as the largest known elevator rods 19 on conventional braziers.

In addition to the foregoing snap type centering caps 45 having axial apertures of various diameters are made available so that such a cap with aperture of a diameter to fit a particular elevator rod 19 can be easily inserted into the open end 39 of the hub portion 31. Thus it will be appreciated that when the accessory 30 is placed upon the upper end of an elevator rod 19 it will be firmly stabilized concentrically of and above the dish-like fire pan 11 of the apparatus id as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this manner the heat rising from the embers in the fire pan 11 in striking the annular upswept surface 36 of the member 30 will be reflected radially and outwardly from the center of the brazier. The heat thus radiating from the hot coals will warm a Zone of some 200 square feet surrounding the brazier. By raising and/or lowering the elevator rod 19 the range of reflection of heat from the surface 36 of the member 3i? can be extended and/or diminished. To put it another way a concentration of heat radiation can be attained by lowering the reflector Whereas a greater spread and distribution of heat is attained when the reflector is raised relative to the embers in the fire pan 11.

The accessory 3t? thus configurated when inverted fits completely over the fire pan 11 as a cover therefore as best seen in FIG. 2. In this connection it will be noted that the overall diameter of the member 31 is such that the beaded peripheral edge 33 thereof fits within the upstanding wall 17 of the brazier and that the sinuous curve of the inner side 37 thereof is such as to overlay the burning embers Within the fire pan 1'1. In addition thereto the hub portion 31 at the center of the member 30 provides a central cavity 56 high enough to clear and cover the upper end of elevator rod 19 so that the accessory 30 is disposed with its beaded periphery resting entirely upon the perimeter of the fire pan 11. Thus it will be seen that the beaded edge 33 has sealing contact with the perimeter of the fire pan to thereby cut off the supply of oxygen to the embers in the fire pan 11. Moreover the plug 41 in the hub portion 31 likewise cuts oif the supply of oxygen to the fire covered by the unit 30 with the result that the fire will be snuffed out of the charcoal remaining in the fire pan 11 and combustion thereby cease. This saves the fuel that has not been consumed and keeps the latter in a dry state for immediate use, even the same day upon reignition.

While I have explained my novel accessory for braziers in specific detail it will be appreciated that it may be susceptible to modification, variation and/or alteration without deparing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore desire to avail myself of all modifications, variations and/ or alterations as fairly come within the purview of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. An accessory for use on a conventional barbecue brazier of the type having a dish-like fire pan with a crank operated elevator rod extending upwardly through its bottom for raisingand lowering a food support above fuel in said fire pan comprising a cone-like metal body having an annular peripheral head from which said conelike body extends radially inwardly in a sinuous curve configuration terminating in a central hub portion open at its apex end, and means for adapting said hub portion for mounting on said elevator rod comprising an annular internal shoulder formed within said hub portion in spaced relation to the open end thereof, a plug between said shoulder and said open end and secured against said internal shoulder within said hub portion for closing the same to snuff out the fire in fuel in said fire pan when the beaded periphery of said metal body rests upon said fire pan to completely cover the fire therein, said plug having a central recessed seat exposed to the open end of said hub portion to receive the upper end of said elevator rod for supporting thereon the said metal body in inverted condition for reflecting infra red rays from burning embers in said fire pan radially outward therefrom.

2. An accessory for use on a conventional barbecue brazier of the type having a dish-like fire pan with a crank operated elevator rod extending upwardly through its bottom for raising and lowering a food support above fuel in said fire pan comprising a cone shaped metal body having an annular outer peripheral bead from which the body extends radially inwardly in a sinuous curve configuration terminating in a central hub portion open at its apex end, and means for adapting said hub portion for mounting on said elevator rod comprising an annular inset recess formed around said hub portion to provide an annular internai shoulder Within the same in spaced relation to the open end thereof, a plug between said shoulder and said open end and secured against said internal shoulder within said hub portion for closing the same to snuff out fire in fuel in said fire pan when the beaded periphery of said metal body rests upon said fire pan to completely cover the fire therein, said plug having a central recessed seat exposed to the open end of said hub portion to receive the upper end of said elevator rod for supporting thereon the said metal body in inverted condition for reflecting infra red rays from burning embers in said fire pan radially outward therefrom, and stabilizing means within the open end of said hub portion for adapting the same to fit various sizes of elevator rods comprising a spring pronged snap type centering cap removably secured in the open end of said hub portion in spaced relation to said plug and having an aperture dimensioned to slidingly fit said elevator rod for cooperating with the recessed seat in said plug to maintain said metal body co-axial relative to the said elevator rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Goodwin May 29, 1956 

